Method and apparatus for slitting metal sheets



March 27, 1928.

J. H. DEAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLITTING METAL SHEETS Filed Aug. 14. 1925 m. Nw Qm x m mm a GM \k m Hm WN kw Q 0000 oooooooooooo N x Q March 27, 1928.

J. H. DEAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLITTING METAL SHEETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 14. l925 6r L j 2 3 1 m i 4 A March 27, 1928. 1,664,247

J. H. DEAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLITTING METAL SHEETS Filed Aug. 14, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 if ZZZLL@7:5Z5771 1,664,247- J. H. DEAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLITTING METAL SHEETS March 27, 1928. S

Filed Aug. 14, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 WV 6i I5 ALT-M M ak 5 a, 42. a a I W, Jay I? W y/f 6 Cl WWW '4' E A /M Patented Mar. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. DEAN, OI LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO NORTHWESTERN EX- PANDED METAL COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLITTING METAL SHEETS.

Application filed August 14, 1925. Serial No. 50,176.

The improvement relates to slitting metal sheets in longitudinally extending sections or panels that are spaced from one another and from the margin of the sheets to a greater or less extent by unslitted strips, each panel being formed into strands b parallel rows of slits with bonds between t 1e slits of each row and opposite the slits of adjacent rows. As well understood in the art, metal lath is formed from such sheets by expanding the slitted panels. Usually also the unslitted strips are formed into stiifenin ribs. It is also well known that, to permit t e expansion without stretching the strands at the margins of the panels, the rows of slits should be inclined to the margins at a slight angle as determined by the relation between the width of the strands and the longitudinal spacing of the bonds. In some cases, the rows of slits in all of the panels of the sheet are inclined in the same direction, but, in the subsequent expansion, the side edges of the sheet are relatively displaced in longitudinal direction 'to a considerable extent and large triangular pieces must be cut oil to square the ends of the finished sheets. Thus, while this method has the advantage that the sheets can be rapidly and economically slitted with roller cutting dies such as shown in the United States Letters Patent No. 1,211,362, F. C. Arey, dated January 2, 1917, there is considerable waste in forming the finished product. Sheets have also been formed with the rows of slits in adjacent panels op ositely inclined at correspon ing an es. While -waste is avoided by this metho of slitting, it has heretofore only been practiced by means of reciprocating dies or punches and this procedure, in comparison with roller process, is slow and uneconomical. The use of slitting rolls having oppositely inclined sets of cutting edges has also been proposed but the construction and maintenance of such rolls would be very expensive and they are believed to be quite impractical if not wholly inoperative.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved method and apparatus for roller slitting metal sheet-s to form .anels with the rows of slits oppositelv inc ined 1n adspaces between the turns of the helical bands.

Preferably two pairs of rolls having helical cutting bands or zones oppositel itched at corresponding angles are provi e together with means for maintaining the sheets oppositely inclined to their paths of movement through the respective pairs of rolls and at an angle corresponding to the pitch of the helical cutting zones.

The features of the invention are hereinafter more fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the improved apparatus being illustrated in the preferred form in the accompanying draw- 1n s.

n the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved apparatus, parts being broken away to show the slit-ting rolls.

Fi 2 is a vertical section of one pair of the s itting rolls.

Fig. 3 'is an enlarged detail view partially in elevation and partially in section of the end portions of the rolls.

Fig.- 4 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of one of the cutting zones or hands.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sections on an enlarged scale and taken on the lines 5-5 and 66 respectively of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of a sheet after the first slitting operation.

Fig.- 8 is a similar view illustrating the sheet after .the final slitting operation.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustrating a variation in the manner of slitting the sheet.

The improved apparatus comprises two pairs of cooperating roller iies A and 3. These rolls or dies are each made up or 1. series of cutting rings or disks mounted together with slightly smaller spacing rings of the same thickness. on heavy cylindrisupports 12 journaled in the frame 3. the cutting and spacing rings or each roll being clamped between collars A threaded on the ends of the supports. looperating strippers 15 separated by spacing plates ;6 are mounted on rods 17 and held in place by bars 18. A main drive shaft 19 for each pair of rolls is connected by gears 20 to a countershaft 21 and the latter is connected by gears 22 to the rolls. an idler gear be ing interposed between the countershaft and the upper roll.

The disks or rings 10 have segmental projecting cutting portions 23 provided with the usual cutting edges at right angles to the axes of the rolls, such edges oeing interrupted by radial grooves 24 for forming the bonds 0: between the slits I) (see Figs. 7. 8 and 9). The segmental cutting portions of each disk extend through considerably less than one-half of its periphery and preferably through only about one quarter thereof.

.Preferably also the cutting edge portions comprise separate sections that are uniformly spaced about its periphery. In the form shown, each dish is provided with two diametrically disposed cutting sections. each extending through about one-eighth of its periphery. The disks of each roll are held against a relative rotary movement by a key 25, and to permit the arrangement of the disks with their cutting sections in oifset relation and also avoid making a large number of different disks, each disk is provided with a plurality of keyways 26. The disks of each roll are so arranged that the cutting sections 23 thereof are progressively oifset. as most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and l. and form helical cutting bands or zones extendin about the eriphery or the roll. The helical cutting ands on the rolls of each pair correspondand, in operation. the projecting cutting ortions 23 intermesh.

The width 0 the cutting disks of course corresponds to the Width of the strands and the spacing of the grooves 24 to that of the bonds, and the cutting sections of adjacent disks are ofl'set to an extent corresponding to the longitudinal spacing of the bonds. as best shown in Fig. 4, so that the pitch of the helical cutting zones corresponds to the desired angle of inclination of the slits b that are formed in the sheet. It is also noted that since the cutting sections 23 of each disk extendthrough considerably less than one-half or about only one quarter of its periphery, the helical cutting zones are sub stantially narrower than the blank spaces between the turns thereof and. in the form shown, are only about one-third or the width )I the spaces. -alSO. since each disk has two :utting sections :3. two helical cutting zones LIB :rovided )Il each roller :n a manner inaio ous to a iouole screw thread. It is :urther noted that the helical cutting zones 1 the two pairs 01 rolls A and B are pitched 1r inclined oppositely but at corresponding in les.

slitting the sheets. each is passed successively through the pairs of rolls A and B. Luring each such operation. the sheet is of :ourse advanced :n a direction parallel with the cutting edges or the rolls and at right ingles to LBS axis. out it is maintained iniined to such path of movement and at an ingle corresponding to the desired inclina- ':n or the slits and to the pitch of the heliral cutting zones. so that the slitted panels ire parallel to the side edges of the sheets. -it the rirst operation. longitudinal sections t the sheet are slitted to form panels 0 havng rows or slits all inclined in the same direction as shown Ln Fig. 7. leaving intermeiiate ll'lSllCtQd zones that are materially ider than the panels. such panels and zones :orresnonding in width to the cutting bands .IlCl blank spaces or the rolls. Art the second slitting operation. eifected by the rolls B, the 918GB is reversed in position, that is to say, .t 15 maintained at a corresponding but opvositelv inclined angle to its path of movenent. and it is also so adjusted that sections II the zones oetween the panels 0 are slitted io :orm the panels 0' having oppositely in- :iined rows or slits (see Figs. 8 and 9).

Instead of passing the sheet through a seeil'lCl pair or rolls having oppositely pitched v:elical cutting zones. each sheet. alter the formation or the panels 0. could be turned ver and again passed through the first pair )1: rolls to form the panels 0. It is also noted that by properly adjusting the sheet ."elativelv to the slitting rolls, the separately formed series or panels 0 and 0 can be spaced to leave unslitted strips d of substantially uniform width as shown in Fig. 8, or i desired. can be so spaced as to leave rela- IVQlV wide and narrow strips (i and (F, as shown in Fig. 1). In the finished sheet made from the form shown in Fig. 8. the strips IL will usually be provided with shallow stiffening ribs or oeads. With the form 5I1OW11 in Fig. 1). the Wide strips (16 can be :ormed into leep stiflening ribs and the narrow strips (0 left fiat.

.leans or guiding the sheets to each pair of rolls comprises a reed table 27 having transerse grooves 18 through which pass the 'IDPGI' reaches of a series of endless chains 29. The latter pass over driving and idle :DIOCKGES 30 and 31 mounted on a common shaft 32 and a series of short shafts 83 respectively. 'liese shafts being carried by n-aekets 3% and 35 at opposite sides of the feed table. Each or the chains is provided with a series of projecting studs 36 on which are -mounted blocks 37 and rollers 38. As the blocks move across the feed table, the narrow edges thereof engage grooved guides 39 so that the upper faces of the blocks are held flush with the upper surface of the table with the rollers in engagement with the edges of the sheets, as shown in Fig. 1 To hold the sheets in proper position, the rollers are preferably provided at their upper ends :with flanges 40 which overlap the edges of the sheets and to prevent the edges of the sheets catching between the rollers and blocks, the latter are preferably provided with recesses 41 as shown in Fig. 6 intrc)1 which the lower ends of the rollers exten The operating shaft 32 of each set of chains is connected by means of skew gears 42 to a short shaft 43 at right angles thereto and the latter is provided with a sprocket 44 connected by a chain 45 to a sprocket on the countershaft 21. To tighten the chains, the shafts 33 of the idler sprockets 31 (seeFig. 6) are mounted in blocks 46 arranged in guideways in the brackets 35 and adapted to be adjusted by screws 47.

To effect the adjustment of the chains carrying the guiding rollers or abutments 38 relative to one another and to the cutting rolls, the sprockets 30 and 44 are adjustably connected to their respective shafts by cone clutches such as shown in detail in Fig. 5. Each of these sprockets is mounted on a sleeve 48 fixed to its shaft and is provided with a hub 49 having a conical bore which fits a correspondingly shaped flange 50 formed upon the sleeve. Clamping and locking collars 51 and 52 threaded on one end of the sleeve secure the sprocket in adjusted position on its sleeve. A similar collar 53 threaded on the opposite end of the sleeve aids in clamping the sprocket in position and also,--when it is desired to change the adjustment, serves to force it from position on the sleeve.

The chains of the two pairs of rolls'A and B are driven in opposite direction, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, and, in order that the guiding rollers in engagement with the sheets shall be upon the tight reaches of the chains, the shaft 32 and driving connections therefor are arranged on opposite sides of the feed table as shown. These driving connections of course operate the chains in proper timed relation with the rotary movement of the slitting rolls. The separate chains of each set can be moved relatively to one another to properly engagethe rollers thereon with the edges of the inclined sheets by adjusting the sprockets 30. Also the chains of each set can beadjusted as a whole to position the sheet relatively to the slitting rolls by adjusting the sprocket 44. As already stated, such adjustment of on by a nut and washer 55. This arrangement permits the independent adjustment of the guide rollers on each chain.

The slitting operation slightly ofi'sets adjacent strands, and to avoid trouble in feeding the sheet for the second slitting operation, the sheet is rolled flat after the first slitting operation. For this purpose, a set of flattening rolls 56 are arranged at the delivery side of the slittin rolls A (see Fig. 1), and are driven from t 1e shaft 19, through chain and sprocket gearing 57.

By the improved method, the slitting of the sheets in panels with the slits in adjacent panels oppositely inclined is effected by the economical roller process and with slitting rolls having cutting edges at right angles to their axes. Obviously, changes may be made from the details set forth without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The method of forming expansible metal sheets which consists in slitting sections of the sheet to form parallel rows of.

slits arranged in panels with alternately disposed unslitted zones wider than the panels and with the rows of slits inclined at an angle to the margins of the panels and then slitting sections of said zones to form slitted panels having oppositely inclined rows of slits. substantially as described.

2. The method of forming expansible metal sheets which consists in slitting sections of the sheet to form parallel rows of slits arranged in panels with alternately disposed unslitted zones wider than the panels and with the rows of slits. inclined at an angle to the margins of the panels, flattening the sheet and then slitting sections of said-zones to form slitted panels having oppositely inclined rows of slits, substantially as described.

3. The method of slitting metal sheets with roller dies which consists in separately forming two series of oppositely inclined rows of slits arranged respectively in alternate panels with unslitted zones between the panels by passing each sheet successively through the dies, substantially as described.

4. The method of forming expansible metal sheets which consists in roller slitting sections of the sheet to form parallel rows of inclined slits arranged in panels with relatively wider unslitted zones between the panels and then roller slitting sections of said zones to form panels having parallel rows of oppositely inclined slits. substan tially as described.

5. The method of forming expansible metal sheets which consist-s in roller slitting sections of the sheet to form panels having rows of parallel slits inclined at an angle to the margins of the panels. rolling the sheet flat and then roller slitting alternate sections of the sheet to form panels having oppositely inclined rows of slits. substantially as described.

6. The method of forming expaiisible metal sheets which consists in roller slitting sections of the sheet to form panels having rows of parallel slits inclined at an angle to the margins of the panels. then roller slitting alternate sections of the sheet to form panels having oppositely inclined slits. and adjusting the sheet at the second slitting operation to predetermine the widths of the unslitted strips between the panels. substantially as described.

7. The method of slitting metal sheets with roller dies having helical bands of cutting edges lying in planes at right angles to their axes, which consists in separately forming two series of oppositelv inclined slits arranged in alternate panel's bv passing each sheet successively through the dies and maintaining the same at similar angles to the direction of feed but reversed in position during the successive passes. substantially as described.

8. Apparatus for forming expansible metal sheets having alternate slitted panels and unslitted strips with the slits of adjacent panels oppositely inclined. comprising slitting rolls having cooperating cutting edges in planes at right angles to the axes of the rolls and arranged in helical bands extending around the rolls with spaces substantially wider than the bands between the turns thereof and guiding devices for maintaining the sheets inclined to the direction of feed through the rolls and at an angle corresponding to-the pitch of the helical bands thereof. said guiding devices being adjustable to determine the widths of the alternate unslitted strips of the sheets. substantially as described.

9. Apparatus for forming expansible metal sheets having oppositelv inclined rows of slits in adjacent panels. comprising slittin rolls formed of spaced disks each of which is provided with a pluralitv of radially projecting cutting edge portions with intermediate spaces extending through substantially greater angles than the angles subtended by said cutting edge portions. adjacent disks being eircumt'erentiallv elf-set to provide multiple helical bands of cutting edges extending around the rolls with spaces between the bands thereof substantiallv wider than the bands. Substantially as described.

l. Apparatus tor slitting metal sheets in actions or panels. comprisingroller dies aaving helical bands of cutting edges disposed in planes at right angles to the axes of :ne rolls. and means tor maintaining the sheets at a definite angle to their ath of movement. comprising a plurality o trans- "erse endless chains. means for driving the ame in unison with the rolls. and independentlv adiustable abutments mounted on said :nains for en aging the side edges of the sheets. supstantiallv as described.

Apparatus for slitting metal sheets in EECEIODS or panels. comprising roller dies iaving helical bands of cutting edges dis- )OSQCI in planes at right angles to the axes -\I the rolls. and means for maintaining the sheets at a definite angle to their path of novement. comprising a plurality of transerse endless chains. means for driving the same in unison with the rolls, means for iLIIllIlEZUlGOHSlV and individually adjusting slllfl chains relatively to said rolls. and indeiendentlv adjustable abutments mounted on said chains for engaging the side edges of the sheets. substantially as described.

Apparatus for slitting metal sheets in -ZGCB1OI1S or panels. comprising roller dies liaving helical bands of cutting edges dis- JOSQQ in planes at right angles to the axes #1 the rolls. and means for maintaining the sheets at a definite angle to their ath of .iovenient. comprising a pluralit o transerse endless chains. means for riving the same in unison with the rolls. and abutments .nounted on said chains for engaging the side edges of the sheet. common and indi- "\(lllill driving sproelrets for said chains, and in adiustable cone clutch and clamp for con- HGCUIIQ each of said sprockets to its shaft, su stantiallv as described.

.3. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets in sections or panels. comprising roller dies .iaving helical bands of cutting ed es disposed in planes at right angles to t e axes it the rolls. and means for maintaining the sheets at a definite angle to their path of movement. comprising a feed table having :ransverse 'iassageways thereon. endless nains in said passageways and geared to and rolls. studs on said chains arranged to )I'O'IQCE above the surface of the feed table, *CCQIIEIIC sleeves adiustably clamped in posi- .1011 on said studs. and rollers journaled on said sleeves for engaging the side edges of :he sheet. supstantiallv as described.

.l. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets in sections or panels. comprising roller dies liavin helical bands or" cutting edges disoosed in planes at right angles to the axes of the rolls. and means for maintaining the sheets it i ierlnit'e angle to their ath of movement. comprising a feed table mylUU lit

ing transverse passageways thereon, endless surface of the table, said blocks having rechains in said passageways and geared to cesses in their upper faces, and rollers joursaid rolls, studs on saidchains arranged to naled on said studs with their inner ends 10 project above the surface of the feed table, bearing on the bottoms of said recesses, sub- 5 blocks on said studs, guides on the feed table stantially as described.

for engaging said blocks to hold the upper faces thereof substantially flush with the JAMES H. DEAN. 

